KR20200105484A - Onboard detachable foldable thrusters for marine vessels and marine vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inboard detachable folding thruster for a marine vessel, wherein the thruster (8) is a propeller (12), a thruster body (14), means (18, 22) for driving and steering the propeller (12). , 54), means for moving the propeller 12 in the vertical direction between the upper and lower positions, means for guiding the vertical movement of the propeller 12 (24), and driving and steering the propeller A slide frame (32) supporting said means (18, 22, 54) for, said slide frame (32) being movable along a vertical movement guide means (24), said vertical movement guide means (24) Is fixed to a frame comprising an upper frame (28) and a lower frame (30), the vertical movement guide means (24) is disposed between the upper frame and the lower frame, the lower frame is a thruster dock (30) ), and the thruster dock 30, when in operation, at least partially provides the means (22, 54) for driving and steering the slide frame (32) and the propeller (12) arranged in connection therewith. Accept.

Description

Onboard detachable foldable thrusters for marine vessels and marine vessels

The present invention relates to a retractable thruster in a ship according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a marine vessel according to the preamble of claim 6.

Marine vessels use a variety of propulsion systems or units. The main propulsion unit or units are usually placed at the rear of the ship. The main propulsion unit may be a fixed propeller arrangement which generates thrust in the longitudinal direction of the marine vessel, or it may be a pod or thruster, ie a propeller arrangement which can be rotated about a vertical axis.

Marine vessels also have other propulsion arrangements that are primarily used when maneuvering ships, barges, ferries, etc. in ports, for example. One type of such propulsion arrangement is a tunnel thruster, which may be used both at the fore and aft of the ship. The tunnel thrusters are arranged in horizontal tunnels that extend across the longitudinal direction of the marine vessel through the hull of the marine vessel to aid in movement of the entire vessel or one of the vessel's side walls, for example for docking purposes.

The thruster is further developed by folding this unit, ie the thruster can be held in the hull but can also be lowered down the hull, i.e. below the baseline of a marine vessel. When the thruster is in the lowered position, it may be rotated about a vertical axis and thus can be used to generate the thrust in any desired direction for steering purposes. Such thrusters are often used for dynamic positioning purposes and to hold the vessel in a fixed orientation with respect to the prevailing wave and ocean current directions. However, while sailing to the working position or while entering the port, the positioning thrusters are retracted flush with the vessel's keel level to reduce water resistance and not to disturb the seabed in shallow water. However, these thrusters are usually relatively difficult to inspect and maintain as the inspection and maintenance can only be done by a diver or by dry docking of the ship.

US 6,375,524 may be discussed as an example of a conventional folding thruster in which the above problem is solved. The U.S. patent discloses a marine vessel provided with a vertical shaft in which the thruster is located and the thruster can be folded into two upper positions from an operating position below the keel level of the vessel. The first lower position is the position where the thruster is maintained during voyage, and the second upper position is the position where the thruster can be inspected and maintained. To create this kind of operating function, marine vessels require vertical shafts or thruster wells, which support the thruster and its driving equipment, and a frame that connects to the well so that the thruster can be moved vertically. Needs to be provided. In other words, the thruster can be installed in the thruster well from the deck of the marine vessel, ie from above. Thus, there is no need for diver use or dry docking of marine vessels in installation or maintenance work on thrusters.

The US patent shows how a thruster well is formed in two parts. The first part extends above a specific heavy deck level from the keel level of the offshore vessel. The first portion of the thruster well has a first diameter, which diameter allows the tubular thruster frame to be lowered therein such that a small gap remains between the thruster well and the thruster frame. At certain locations along the length, seal rings are provided on both the well and the frame, which seal the gap when facing each other. On the heavy deck the thruster wells have a larger diameter, so that lifting equipment for the thrusters can be placed there and also leave space for maintenance personnel. The heavy deck is shown to be located below the waterline, so if water is allowed to fill the thruster well, the heavy deck is also flooded. To prevent that from happening, the first portion of the thruster well extends a vertical distance above the heavy deck that causes the thruster well to extend above the water line.

The US patented thrusters discussed above meet all the basic requirements set for onboard mountable folding thrusters. However, there is a problem because the thruster frame is a tubular enclosure that covers all thruster components except for the thruster itself, i.e. the rotation drive unit is within the tubular frame and access to the drive unit is complicated. Unless the thruster is too large for a person to fit into the tubular frame, the thruster must be released from the frame to access the drive unit. Other drawbacks of tubular frames are size, weight and manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention to optimize the frame structure of a foldable thruster that can be separated on board so that various thruster components can be easily accessed without major disassembly work.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the weight and manufacturing cost of the thruster frame.

The above and other objects of the present invention are foldable thrusters that are detachable inboard for marine vessels, wherein the thrusters include a propeller, a thruster body, a means for driving and steering the propeller, and the propeller between an upper position and a lower position. Means for moving in the vertical direction at, means for guiding the vertical movement of the propeller, and a slide frame supporting the means for driving and steering the propeller, wherein the slide frame moves along the vertical movement guide means The vertical movement guide means is fixed to a frame including an upper frame and a lower frame, and the vertical movement guide means is disposed between the upper frame and the lower frame, and the lower frame is a thruster dock (basin). Wherein the thruster dock, when in operation, is at least partially accommodated by means for driving and steering the slide frame and the propeller arranged in connection therewith, the inboard detachable foldable thruster for the marine vessel. .

The onboard detachable folding thruster of the present invention and other characteristic configurations of a marine vessel will become apparent from the appended dependent claims.

The present invention, when solving at least one of the aforementioned problems, also has a number of advantages, some of which are listed below:

스러스터가 서비스 목적으로 선내에서 들어 올려지고 분리될 수 있다. 이로써 수중 분리와 관련된 비용 및 위험이 회피되거나 또는 대안적으로는 선박이 건선거 (dry-dock) 로 이동할 필요성이 회피된다.

Thrusters can be lifted and removed on board for service purposes. This avoids the costs and risks associated with underwater segregation, or alternatively the need for the ship to move to dry-dock.

스러스터의 구조가 덜 복잡하고 더 가볍다.

The structure of the thruster is less complex and lighter.

스러스터를 그의 프레임에서 풀 필요 없이 스러스터 구성요소에 용이하게 접근할 수 있다.

The thruster components can be easily accessed without having to unwrap the thruster from its frame.

However, it should be understood that the listed advantages are only optional and thus depend on the manner in which the invention is practiced in which one or more advantages are obtained.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the foldable thruster that can be detached in a ship of the present invention will be described in more detail.
1 shows a partial vertical cross-sectional view along a longitudinal center line of a marine vessel provided with an onboard detachable folding thruster according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the inboard detachable folding thruster of FIG. 1, which is located in a navigational position inside the ship's hull.
FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the onboard detachable foldable thruster of FIG. 1, which is positioned in an operative position below the keel level of a marine vessel.
FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the onboard detachable foldable thruster of FIG. 1, which is lifted above its navigable position, ie in a maintenance, servicing, mounted or detached position.

1 shows a partial vertical sectional view along a longitudinal center line of a marine vessel 2 provided with an onboard detachable foldable thruster 8 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows an onboard detachable foldable thruster 8 arranged on the bow of a marine vessel. However, the folding thruster can be applied in practically any longitudinal position along the length of the hull. This figure shows a thruster 8 located in a vertical thruster well formed of a lower thruster well 10' and an upper thruster well 10", which is from the deck 4 of the marine vessel 2 It extends all the way to the keel level KL The inboard detachable foldable thruster 8 is shown in the operating position below the keel level KL of the marine vessel 2. The thruster well is in principle formed in two parts. The lower thruster well 10' is mainly located below the waterline WL and extends above the waterline WL starting at the keel level KL, i.e. at the bottom of the marine vessel 2. Depending on the marine vessel, it may be a series of closeable openings one above the other on the deck of the vessel, or a tubular well arranged vertically through the deck of the vessel. A cavity between the upper and lower thruster wells. ), and cavities can be applied, for example, for repair and maintenance of thrusters.

FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the inboard detachable foldable thruster of FIG. 1, the thruster being located in a navigational position inside the lower thruster well 10' inside the hull of a marine vessel. The folding thruster 8 is mainly composed of a thruster propeller 12, a right-angle gear disposed in the thruster body 14 of the propeller 12, a nozzle ring surrounding the propeller 12 and connected to the thruster body 14 ( 16), the drive shaft 18 surrounded by the steering pipe 20, the electric drive motor 22 disposed at the upper end of the drive shaft 18 in this illustrated embodiment, the thruster 8 with its upper position It is formed of means (not shown) for moving between the lower positions, and upper and lower guide arrangements 24, 26 for supporting the inboard detachable folding thruster when it is moved in the vertical direction. However, it should already be understood that at this stage, the drive shaft and electric motor can be replaced with an electric or hydraulic drive unit arranged on the same axis as the thruster propeller 12 in relation to the thruster body 14. In such a case, only the necessary electrical wiring and/or hydraulic tubing need to be lowered to the thruster body 14.

The folding thruster (8) is a supporting hull structure at its upper end to the heavy deck (6), or more generally by an upper frame (28) (which includes all beams, walls, decks, stiffeners, etc. arranged on the hull of a marine vessel). Include). At least two vertical guide bars 24 are fixed at the upper end to the upper frame 28 and at the lower end to the lower frame, ie to the thruster dock 30. The slide frame 32 is arranged in relation to the guide bar 24 so that the slide frame 32 can slide vertically along the guide bar 24. The slide frame 32 supports the drive motor 22 and is connected by a steering pipe 20 to a thruster beam 34 located below the thruster dock 30. The drive shaft 18 extends down to the thruster body 14 through the steering pipe 20. The thrust beam 34 is disposed rotatably at the lower end of the steering pipe 20. The steering pipe 20 is rotatably supported on the slide frame 32 at its upper end, and is attached to the thruster body 14 at its lower end. The rotation of the steering pipe 20 and subsequently the steering of the propeller 12 is performed by means of a rotating gear 54 (Fig. 3). The thrust beam 34 extends substantially horizontally towards the wall 36 of the lower thruster well 10'. The wall 36 is provided with a vertical guide rail 26 in which the end of the thrust beam 34 is arranged in sliding communication. In other words, vertical movement of the thruster is ensured by the guide bar 24 at the upper end of the thruster 8 and by the guide rail 26 at the lower end of the thruster 8. The thrust beam 34 and the guide rail 26 first transmit the thrust of the propeller to the wall of the lower thruster well 10' and then to the hull of the marine vessel.

The wall 36 of the lower thruster well 10' forms a cavity that is received when the propeller 12, thruster body 14 and nozzle ring 16 (if used) are not operating. The height of the wall is usually slightly larger than the diameter of the propeller 12 or the nozzle ring (if used). When the waterline WL of the marine vessel extends higher than the wall 36 of the lower thruster well 10', a substantially vertical wall extension 38 is provided to raise the height of the wall above the waterline WL. It is provided on the wall 36. A wall extension 38 extending upwards from the deck 40 (usually the lowest deck, but often the second deck above the deck or the lowest deck), is of the wall 36 to which the guide rails 26 are fixed. It may be an integral part or it may be a separate wall member fixed in a watertight manner to the wall 36 or deck 40. The thruster dock 30 is located inside the wall extension 38 when the thruster is mounted to the lower thruster well 10". The thruster dock 30 is the dock bottom 42, i.e. the foundation plate, It is formed of a dock wall 44 and a dock flange 46. The dock wall 44 extends upwards from the dock bottom 42 (but not necessarily vertically and at right angles to the dock bottom). Extends outwardly from the dock wall 44. The dock flange 46 is preferably, but not necessarily, located on the upper rim of the dock wall 44, and preferably extends radially outwardly therefrom. The horizontal cross-section of the thruster dock 30 is preferably, but not necessarily round, and square, rectangular and similar shapes can be considered if desired. Similarly, the horizontal cross-section of the lower thruster well 10' is not necessarily preferred. Alternatively round, also square, rectangular and similar shapes can be considered if desired, The dock flange 46 is arranged to rest on the upper rim 48 of the wall extension 38. Of the wall extension 38 A seal is provided between the rim 48 and the dock flange 46. The dock bottom 42 is provided with an opening 50 for the steering pipe 20. In the opening 50, water of the dock 30 is provided. A seal 52 is provided to prevent entry into the interior.

FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the onboard detachable folding thruster of FIGS. 1 and 2, the thruster being positioned in an operative position with its propeller and thruster body below the keel level (KL) of the marine vessel. 3 shows why the thruster dock 30 is needed. Now the presence of the thruster dock 30 sealed in a watertight manner in connection with both the wall extension 38 of the lower thruster well 10 ′ and the steering pipe 20 can lead to the slide frame 32, e.g. For example, it makes it possible to be positioned in the waterline WL or even below the waterline with all its equipment, such as the rotating gear 54 turning the thruster body. Accordingly, the slide frame 32 and the thruster dock 30 are dimensioned so that the slide frame 32 fits within the inner dimensions of the thruster dock 30. Without the thruster dock 30, all such equipment that should not come into contact with sea water must be placed at a higher level, which means an increase in the length of the drive shaft and steering pipe. This also means increasing the weight of the thruster, and of course also means more space that the thruster takes up.

The required height of the dock wall 44 depends on the dimensions of the thruster with respect to the difference between the keel level KL and the waterline WL. At least the thruster body 14, the propeller 12 and the nozzle ring 16, when the thruster is in its rest position, i.e. not moving, inside the thruster well 10' of the marine vessel hull, the propeller Alternatively, it requires a vertical space slightly larger than the diameter of the nozzle ring.

FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the onboard detachable foldable thruster of FIG. 1, the thruster being raised above its navigable position, ie in a service and maintenance position or in a fully mounted or detached position. This figure also shows the importance of the wall extension 38, i.e., although nothing prevents seawater from entering the lower thruster well 10', the wall extension extends higher than the waterline WL, so that the seawater is 40) does not occupy. The wall extension 36 also provides the possibility of mounting the cover 56 and seal on the rim of the wall extension 38 so that the lower thruster well 10' is covered again, the cover 56 being the thruster It can be used as a support surface for maintenance of the propeller or thruster body.

Figure 4 also shows the preferred dimensions of the extension wall as follows: According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the required height of the thruster well 10', ie the height of the wall 36, is 1.1 of the diameter of the propeller or nozzle ring. -About 1.5 times. If the water line WL extends higher, a wall extension 38 to the wall 36 of the lower thruster well 10' is needed as shown in the figures. For example, if the waterline WL has a height H1 from the keel level KL and the deck 40 has a height H2 from the keel level KL, the wall extension 38 is greater than H1-H2, preferably Preferably, it has a height h which is at least 1.2 times H1-H2, more preferably at least 1.5 times H1-H2.

It should be understood that the foregoing is only exemplary description of a novel and original shipboard detachable folding thruster. While the foregoing description discusses a particular type of foldable thruster, it should be understood that the type of foldable thruster does not limit the invention to the type discussed. Thus, it is clear that the drive of the propeller can be arranged by an electric, hydraulic motor disposed in the thruster body, or a diesel motor in a Z-drive configuration. Further, it is apparent that the shape of the nozzle ring does not limit the present invention, and that the ring may be cylindrical or conical. The foregoing description should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way, and the full scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims. From the foregoing description, it should be understood that individual features of the invention may be used in connection with other individual features even if such a combination is not specifically indicated in the detailed description or drawings.

Claims (11)

As a shipboard detachable retractable thruster for marine vessels,
The thruster (8) has a propeller (12), a thruster body (14), means (18, 22, 54) for driving and steering the propeller (12), the propeller (12) in the upper and lower positions. Means for vertically moving between, means (24) for guiding the vertical movement of the propeller (12), and a slide frame supporting the means (18, 22, 54) for driving and steering the propeller Including (32),
The slide frame (32) is movable along the vertical movement guide means (24), and the vertical movement guide means (24) is fixed to a frame including an upper frame (28) and a lower frame (30), and the upper The vertical movement guide means (24) is arranged between the frame and the lower frame,
The lower frame is a thruster dock 30, and the thruster dock 30, when in operation, drives and steers the slide frame 32 and the propeller 12 connected thereto. A detachable foldable thruster on board for marine vessels, characterized in that it at least partially accommodates said means (22, 54) for. The method of claim 1,
The thruster dock 30 is formed of a dock bottom 42, a dock wall 44 extending upward from the dock bottom 42, and a dock flange 46, and the dock bottom 42 is a steering pipe ( 20), characterized in that it has an opening (50) for, and the opening (50) is provided with a seal (52). The method of claim 2,
The steering pipe 20 is mounted to extend through the opening 50, and the steering pipe 20 is rotatably supported on the slide frame 32 at its upper end, and the thruster body 14 at its lower end. ), characterized in that attached to, inboard detachable folding thruster for marine vessels. The method of claim 1,
Inboard detachable folding thrusters for marine vessels, characterized by a thrust beam (34) rotatably disposed at the lower end of the steering pipe (20) under the thruster dock (30). The method of claim 2,
The dock flange (46), characterized in that extending outward from the dock wall (44), inboard detachable folding thruster for marine vessels. A marine vessel comprising a foldable thruster (8) detachable on board according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:
The marine vessel (2) has a lower thruster well (10') with a vertical wall extension (38) with an upper rim (48), the upper rim, when the marine vessel is in nautical conditions, the A marine vessel, characterized in that it is located above the waterline (WL) of the marine vessel (2), wherein the thruster dock (30) is supported on the upper rim (48). The method of claim 6,
Marine vessel, characterized in that a seal is arranged between the dock flange (46) and the upper rim (48). The method of claim 6,
Marine vessel, characterized in that a cover (56) is arranged on the seal and on the upper rim (48) when the thruster is lifted into a service and maintenance position. The method of claim 6,
Said vertical wall extension (38) is a separate wall member fixed to the deck (40) or to the wall (36) of the lower thruster well (10'). The method of claim 6,
Marine vessel, characterized in that the vertical wall extension (38) is a unitary part of the wall (36) of the lower thruster well (10'). The method of claim 6,
The marine vessel has a waterline WL, a keel level KL and a deck 40, the waterline WL has a height H1 from the keel level KL, and the deck 40 is the keel level ( A marine vessel, characterized in that it has a height H2 from KL), and the dock wall 44 has a height h, said height h being greater than H1-H2.

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